Renters Rights bill comes into force today across the UK
We've been speaking to a Kent estate agent about what it could mean for local properties
Local authorities across England are being bolstered with an additional £41 million to support new enforcement powers under the Renters' Rights Act, set to be implemented on 1st May.
A total investment of £60 million will be distributed among 317 local councils, enhancing their ability to oversee legal protections for the country's 11 million private renters.
The Renters' Rights Act introduces significant reforms, including a ban on Section 21 'no-fault' evictions and increased fines for non-compliant landlords, rising to £40,000.
Councils will be legally obligated to enforce new regulations preventing rental bidding wars and discrimination against tenants with children or those receiving benefits.
Up to £50 million is set to modernise civil courts, ensuring access to low-cost legal aid and support for renters facing eviction.
The act's enforcement will allow tenants to seek rent repayment orders for up to two years and require landlords to meet strict compliance standards.
David Votta, owner of Votta Sales & Lettings and board member at Propertymark, has been working in Kent for 15 years. He discussed the implications of the new Renters Rights Bill with us:
"There's not so many landlords anymore.
"There's more demands from tenants because they're paying and they feel that there should be more being done in unrealistic time scales.
"And it yeah, Kent is affected, Sussex was affected. Everywhere's going to be affected, and is continuing to be more and more affected by these changes."
"It's going to make it even harder for tenants to find homes because landlords are looking at this and they're thinking, 'Well, from a from a business perspective, it's not worth being a landlord anymore for certain people.'
"I mean, it is really when when you're doing things properly, you have a manager and agent taking care of all your compliance. It can be very easy and you can still make a decent income from it, and a pension fund.
"But many landlords especially the self managing channels. They're scared. They're worried about the legislation. All these changes.
"So they're selling up. I looked at some stats and around 28,000 section 21 accelerated possession claims were issued through the courts in the whole of 2025.
"It's mad.
"So once you tell landlords you can't get possession of your property without having to go to court, landlords are thinking 'I want possession of my property now' and get out."
Housing Secretary Steve Reed said:
“We’ve been preparing councils to use their new powers on the minority of landlords who rip off their tenants and this new funding will help councils carry out their duties.
“Stronger powers and fines will help deter wrongdoing in the first place, as we work towards a better rental system that’s fairer to tenants and good landlords.”
The move was also supported by National Residential Landlords Association's Chief Executive, Ben Beadle, who said:
“Rogue landlords have no place in the private rented sector and every effort should be made by local authorities to drive them from the market.
“This announcement demonstrates that the government is serious about tackling those who bring the sector into disrepute and supporting those responsible landlords who provide decent and secure homes for renters.”